Let's face it: the past few years have been a bit of a sh**show, which is exactly why wellness experts predict that 2023 promises to be the year that we ‘reclaim ourselves’.
As we continue to battle the Covid hangover and navigate the cost of living crisis, experts say we will all be looking for multiple, small joys in our everyday activities to improve body, mind and soul. Sounds good to us.
Forget the #ThatGirl trend, the next 12 months will see self-care take an empowering new direction. Sunrise yoga, a green juice, 10,000 steps and three hours of mindfulness before 7am will be replaced by a slower and more mindful approach to wellness and we are here.for.it.
“What we predict is that there is a wellness moment in everything,” say the experts at John Lewis. “From new and considered habits we develop for our skin and hair to how we are using that time to dedicate to ourselves - however big or small - to really make a difference to how we feel.”
One of the major wellness trends coming our way is mind management - a specific form of active meditation that has been scientifically proven to help improve neuroplasticity and increase focus through stimulation of the brains focus centres.
Enter cold szn armed and ready.
Want in? One mind management exercise that is speedy and accessible is the 13-minute mind challenge, which could be a quick and effective way to set up your day in the most positive way.
So what exactly is it? As Anna Persaud, John Lewis Expert and CEO of ‘This Works’, explains: “This protocol/technique involves focusing on a point within the body and bringing the focus back." It really is that simple: place your focus on one point of your body for 13 minutes using a timer on your phone. Every time your mind becomes distracted, refocus on the specific body part again.
So why 13 minutes? A New York University study showed that 13 minutes decreased negative mood state and enhanced attention, working memory, and recognition memory, as well as decreased state anxiety scores on the Trier Social Stress Test.
“The more you repeat this exercise the longer this period of focus will be,” adds Anna. "Conducting this exercise everyday for 8 weeks can help to improve neural plasticity, focus, memory and attention. As this is an active meditation you shouldn’t do this within 4 hours of bed.”
Will you be trying it?
Feeling heightened sensitivity right now? Read on…
